Energy Audits and Workshops

RPU and Minnesota Energy Resources have teamed up with the Center for Energy and Environment to offer Rochester homeowners the Neighborhood Energy Challenge (NEC), a full-service residential energy audit program.

The Neighborhood Energy Challenge includes:

Free Energy Workshop. Attendance to our free "Saving Energy 101" workshop is mandatory to participate in the program – and a great opportunity to learn new no- or low-cost strategies to stop energy waste, all while visiting with your neighbors. Workshop attendees receive a complimentary reusable bag with outlet insulation gaskets. Free childcare is provided.
Home Visit and Installation of Energy Saving Materials. At the workshop, you will have the opportunity to sign up for a home energy visit, where a trusted, experienced energy auditor will visit your home for approximately two hours to run diagnostic tests (like a blower door to test air leaks), check the insulation levels, install energy-saving materials, and find your home's best opportunities for improving comfort, saving energy, and reducing your utility bills.
Help With Next Steps. If there are opportunities for significant savings in your home through installing additional insulation, attic air sealing, or replacing old heating equipment, we can make the next steps easy by connecting you with qualified contractors, financing, incentives, and utility rebates.

The home visit, materials, and help with next steps are all included in a one-time $75 fee.

Materials provided at the energy audit may include:

Gasket seals
Safety caps
LED Bulbs
Pipe insulation
High-efficiency faucet aerators
High-efficiency showerhead

Workshop Dates*

Tuesday, June 23, 2026
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Virtual workshop via Zoom

Wednesday, July 22, 2026
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Virtual workshop via Zoom

Wednesday, August 19, 2026
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Virtual workshop via Zoom

Thursday, September 17, 2026
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Northrop Community Education Center: Room 308
201 8th St NW
Rochester, MN 55901

Saturday, November 14, 2026
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Northrop Community Education Center: Room 308
201 8th St NW
Rochester, MN 55901

To reserve your spot at a Neighborhood Energy Challenge workshop, complete the registration form.

For questions regarding the Neighborhood Energy Challenge, contact Stacy Boots Camp at 888-734-6365 or sbootscamp@mncee.org.

Stacy Boots Camp is the Outreach Manager at the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE). She has been with CEE since 2009 and had worked in the field conducting energy audits for three years before moving on to do outreach for CEE’s residential programs. Stacy has over a dozen years of community and environmental organizing experience. She holds an Energy Auditor certification from Dunwoody Institute.

*Workshop dates and locations subject to change.